Depending on where you live across the Front Range determines how you’ve been impacted by the recent wildfires. While they may seem far away, smoke, soot, and ash can still impact the efficiency of your HVAC system.
HVAC systems are designed to take in fresh air, condition it, and release it into your home via the ventilation system. But it can only circulate the air as it is supplied to the system. The HVAC can filter out dust and debris before it enters the air, however, it can only handle so much.
And then it starts impacting the HVAC system.
Clogged air filter – the first line of defense to keep your HVAC equipment working smoothly is the air filter. As air flows through the air filter, it picks up tiny particles of dirt, dust, debris, pollutants, contaminants, and more. It can pick up ash, soot, smoke, and other particles that swirl around from outside, but it can only handle so much. As the air filter reaches capacity, more of it is filtered out into your home.
Dirty ducts – as contaminated air flows through a dirty air filter, certain particles will make their way through and filter throughout the ventilation system. The air flow isn’t enough to blow all particles out through the vents and into your rooms. Therefore, what’s leftover will settle into your ducts. Over time, this can build, get stuck, and when moisture is present, cause the spread of mold. All of this works to contaminate your air supply, making it more difficult to breathe.
Clogged compressor – depending on what type of system you have in place, your equipment may be deluged with a layer of soot, ash, and grime falling from the sky. This can get caught in your compressor, build on the outdoor unit’s fins, and prevent the air from passing through. This can impact your comfort level throughout the year.
While you should change out your air filters regularly, your entire HVAC system should be inspected at least once a season, and especially after several weeks of wildfires.
Schedule your annual inspection today.